The REST of God
A couple of weeks ago while reading God Calling (by Two Listeners) I was struck by the following quote: “The rest of God is in a realm beyond all human activity. Venture there often, and you will indeed find peace and joy. (May 8, 2016)
I’m thinking a lot these days about the topic of rest–not just napping or lazing in a lounge chair or taking in the sun on a blanket at the beach–though there is nothing wrong with any of those forms of rest. I like them all!
I’m thinking more about the kind of rest I feel when I focus on the peace that passes all understanding. (Philippians 4:7) I’ve had a stressful week as I come down from my trip to Europe, catch up with chores at home, prepare for company next weekend and keep up with my online class.
At the end of the day I find myself crashing in front of the TV instead of quieting myself with God–shutting out thoughts of the world–and resting in his presence. Sometimes fear gets in the way, or worry or trying to take control of circumstances and other people’s agenda that affects me.
But when I return to the words in a favorite psalm (23:4): “I will not be afraid . . . You are with me” I quiet down and find real rest.
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Please share with other readers and me what the rest of God means to you.
Have a great week!
All in Divine Order Karen. We know that ……so we can simply relax, get into the moment …… No judgement …… It is all o’kay. We are blessed and we know that our faith makes us whole. Blessings dearest friend and soul sister. All is well …. Soon we can BE in the high country in our wee tents camping and being with it all.
You are loved, Kathleen XO.
Thank you, Kathleen. Ah! the wilderness. Can hardly wait. 🙂
Dear Karen, I finally am on your post list! So relieved … so happy. Thanks a lot. I loved today’s quote you shared about finding peace and rest in God … when I feel the anxiety or stressed or worried or when bad memory attacked … I’d pick up Brother Lawrence’s little book on God’s Presence (I have you to thank for recommending it) … and amazing, any page I turned to and read a few lines … it’d calm me down … call me back to trust in God and reminding me of faith … I’d feel much better … Jing
Thanks, Jing, for alerting me. No one got the email on Monday so we reposted by hand on Tuesday. My web master is looking into the problem. If it weren’t for you, I might not have realized we had an issue. I’m happy to know that Brother Lawrence’s writing is so important to you, as it is to me. He has inspired so many down through the centuries.
Dear sweet Karen, we just got back from Israel after being with you on the river boat cruise.. another awesome experience walking where Jesus walked, praying together in the Garden of Gethsemane, having communion at the garden tomb and more, with powerful messages from Kay and David Arthur. Kay taught the whole book of Revelation and we were part of the drama.. Mark the 4th trumpet and me the 5th…. then a surprise ending with the White horse galloping with a riding “King”.. across the path in Megiddo… we walked up the mountain side and overlooked the area and as we were standing together Kay had the music to “Lift up your head to the King Of Kings”… what a moving experience and we were in tears… you need to come by the cabin for tea so we can share our Israel experience! Now I can “rest” and reflect on what we were taught! Joan
Joan, what a marvelous experience you had in Israel. I’m so happy for you and I would love to hear all about your trip and see your photos too. I will be away for a couple of weeks during late May and early June but when you are at your MH home again after that, please let me know and I’ll drive up. Thank you for sharing the details. It sounds like a journey you will never forget.
Karen,
I find I’m most at r…e…s…t when I’m at peace mentally, emotionally and physically and I’m learning that peace doesn’t come naturally. I have to set my life up for it as I have learned from God’s Word…
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace…”
Romans 14:19
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
This is easier said than done, but I’m learning to do it and it’s helping my head, heart and hands find rest.
May God bless each of you with rest this week…
Smiles, BRC
Thank you, Beth. I appreciate the beautiful and appropriate verses you included. Like you, I have to make time for rest but little by little I am getting there. At the end of a day I can now admit I’ve done enough and it’s time to walk away from my office and rest!
Resting in God is a totally different mindset. One thing I’ve learned is it’s impossible to rest and worry at the same time! Thanks for the reminder to prioritize resting in His love. It is well worth the time, as everything else is easier from that foundation. (I love the book God Calling!)
Blessings, and welcome home from your wonderful trip! 🙂
Thank you, Columba. I appreciate your perspective and your welcome home message.
Karen, I got ‘goose bumps’ all over me when I read the reference to the book, “God Calling” ! I have had a copy of that book “forever” HA! I love it! And then Jing’s reference to Bro. Lawrence’s little book! Two of my favorites. The ‘rest of God’ to me means ALL of him-the comfort, peace, joy, creations,-cannot mention everything but of course the main thing is the fact He created me in His own image and He loves me like no one else is capable of loving. One of my favorite verses of scripture is: ” Be still and know that I am God”. If I do this, I feel ALL of God which is not only His love, but the ” rest” of Him.
Love and blessings to you. Margaret
Such a lovely comment, Margaret. I, too, love the verse your quoted. When we know that God is God, we can truly rest, for he will take care of ‘the rest’ of whatever we leave unfinished and he’ll give us his peace and rest too.
Thank you for your lovely post, Karen. I often fall into the trap of un-real rest, but when I get back to reading or contemplating my spirituality, I get sooo much more out of it!
Thank you, Lynn. It seems many of us fall into the same trap but with spiritual help and reminders through our reading we can climb out and move on.
Reading today in the Message Bible:““This, in a nutshell, is that will: that everything handed over to me (Jesus) by the Father be completed—not a single detail missed—and at the wrap-up of time I have everything and everyone put together, upright and whole. This is what my Father wants: that anyone who sees the Son and trusts who he is and what he does and then aligns with him will enter real life, eternal life. My part is to put them on their feet alive and whole at the completion of time.””
John 6:39-40 MSG
My confidence renewed as I read also in Romans 8 in the Message. God’s over view of this life is what I needed to refocus on and rest in what He knows not in what I know.
Thank you, Lynn, for reminding me of this wonderful verse. It is a good one to hold onto each and every day.